Zamalek’s first football team concludes its preparations today, Thursday, for the anticipated clash against Ceramica Cleopatra tomorrow, Friday, as part of the fifth round of the final stage of the Egyptian Premier League. The team is set to hold its final training session under the supervision of new head coach Ayman Al-Ramadi, who took over after the dismissal of Portuguese manager José Peseiro due to the team's recent poor performances. Following the session, Al-Ramadi will announce the squad list for the closed training camp in preparation for the match.

Zamalek is determined to secure a positive result in this match to return to winning ways, especially after their exit from both the CAF Confederation Cup and the Egypt Cup. The match comes at a critical time as the White Knights aim to improve their standing in the Egyptian Premier League table, particularly after the major technical changes in the coaching staff.

Closed Camp Ahead of Ceramica Match

The team enters a closed training camp on Thursday as part of their preparations to face Ceramica Cleopatra. Coach Ayman Al-Ramadi is looking to reorganize the team after the difficult period they have gone through. This match is extremely important for Zamalek as they aim for victory and hope to stay in contention for the league title this season. The decision to part ways with former coach José Peseiro came following a general decline in results.

Mohamed Shehata Injured, Mostafa Shalaby Returns

Zamalek has suffered a major blow in its preparations due to the absence of midfielder Mohamed Shehata, who is out of the squad with a hamstring injury. On a more positive note, winger Mostafa Shalaby has recovered from a calf muscle injury and is ready to participate in the upcoming match. These developments pose another challenge for Al-Ramadi, who is aiming to maximize the use of all available players to secure a win.

Match Time and Broadcast Details

The match between Zamalek and Ceramica Cleopatra will be held at 5:00 PM on Friday at the Arab Contractors Stadium in El-Gabal El-Akhdar. The match will be broadcast live on ON Sport channel, which will feature a pre-match studio analysis with prominent Egyptian football experts providing technical insights and predictions.

Injury Crisis Hits Ceramica Cleopatra

Ceramica Cleopatra, too, is grappling with an injury crisis ahead of the decisive match. Defender Saad Samir suffered a calf tear in the team’s last game against Petrojet, sidelining him for 4 to 6 weeks. Midfielder Ibrahim Mohamed has also been ruled out due to a groin muscle tear and is expected to miss upcoming fixtures, potentially for the same duration.

These setbacks add to an already lengthy list of absentees at Ceramica, including Ahmed Kendoussi, who has a leg fracture; Abdel Rahman Boudy, suffering from a groin tear; Amr Qallawa, dealing with a knee bruise; and Mohamed Koko, sidelined with an ankle injury. These injuries present a significant challenge for Ceramica as they aim to achieve a positive result in this must-win match against Zamalek.

Road to the Title

The Zamalek vs Ceramica match is a pivotal point in the journey of both teams in the Egyptian Premier League. Zamalek is eager to regain stability following the surprise dismissal of Peseiro and the appointment of Ayman Al-Ramadi. The team hopes to return to the title race, while Ceramica faces tough circumstances with numerous key players out injured, making this encounter a decisive showdown for both sides.